Reply #36: While I'm trying to agree with the sentiment of your post

[kdmorris]

It's kind of hard, given the way it's worded. You act like you only have those few choices, and that's not always the case.

Any time you get an new pet, it's a risk. It's not like rescue organizations are all the same, you know. Some of them love pets a lot, but they can't control every animals background. That's why they are called RESCUE organizations. The rescue animals from some really awful situations.

Second, even breeders WITH contracts are a bad idea, but that's mainly my personal opinion. I don't see why people can't get beautiful, loving pets from the vast millions of already abandoned pets. You don't have to get a pure bred dog. You just don't. Even some puppy mills and pet stores have contracts that you have to sign, but they still don't give a shit about the dogs, who are often traumatized and sick when you spend your hundreds of dollars for them.

It's not about the contract. It's about the people. We got one of our dogs, Brandy, from Animal Care and Control. They may TRY to care about animals, but they kill them if they aren't adopted after 30 days, so I would say they don't really "care" for them in the sense that I would believe. There is no contract, not really, just a little piece of paper stating the county registration laws that you sign. The only other paperwork is to fill out the county registration and the Avid chip with your home address so that they can match the dog back to you. And, you are done. No contract, but she's still a great dog, even after several months of life on the streets before they captured her.

Our other dog, Sun Dancer(Sunny), we got from an organization called Puppies Under Protection. They had a rather extensive contract that I read carefully and signed. BUT, after I signed it, and brought her home, she was our dog. The chip and county registration information is in my name. She is also a great dog, but wasn't really socialized correctly, so is somewhat fearful of strangers. I don't blame this rescue organization, because they did the best they could and really do care about dogs.

With both of these dogs, when we brought them home, we had to overcome any issues they have. You can do it. It's not impossible to take an abused animal and help it overcome it's early years. Just look at Brandy. Her early life wasn't too hot and it appears that more than one person had smacked her with a broom and sprayed her with a hose before we brought her home. She was terrified of both when we brought her home, but we helped her get over her fear. She's one of the best dogs I've ever had.

Like I said, I do agree with the sentiment of the post, but it's a little over the top. I don't believe that dogs can't overcome their early life anymore than I believe that pit bulls are born vicious and cruel. But, there's something to be said about getting a dog that someone has already cared for. It DOES make it much easier.

That being said, I would never have signed that contract, if it is really the way it's shown in that form. There is no way I would sign something that allows the RESCUE ORGANIZATION to be the primary person on the chip information. That sounds more like Rent a Dog.